- 2 days ago
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) questioned actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay for seven hours in Delhi regarding a stampede at his party's event in Karur that resulted in 41 deaths. Vijay reportedly denied his party's role, stating that TVK functionaries were not responsible and that the Tamil Nadu police failed to maintain law and order. He claimed he left the venue to prevent further chaos. The CBI is corroborating his statement with video evidence as the probe unfolds during a crucial election season, with debates pointing to negligence or alleged political sabotage by the ruling DMK. Former IPS officer Sanjay Sahay noted it was a case of "atrocious" crowd management. The report also highlights another political controversy involving MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who revived the divisive 'hatao lungi, bajao pungi' slogan against Tamilians ahead of Mumbai's BMC elections.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Hello and welcome. Good evening. You're watching Super 6 here on India Today.
00:04I'm Akshita Nantikopala. Over the next one hour, we'll get you the big headlines coming in from the southern states,
00:10particularly the state of Tamil Nadu. It's election season. It's in the air, not just in Tamil Nadu,
00:16but also in the national capital this morning. Talapati Vijay touched down in Delhi for his appearance before the CBI.
00:24As we speak, he's still at the CBI headquarters. So from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. now.
00:30Seven hours he's been with the Central Bureau of Investigation.
00:34This is the investigation into the Karoor Stampede. What's transpired so far?
00:39What will happen next? Will Vijay be summoned for another day of questioning?
00:43We'll get you all of those exclusive details here on Super 6.
00:47I was there at the CBI headquarters, so that's a story we'll track very closely.
00:50Also coming up on the show at 6.30 p.m.
00:55You can condemn it as much as you want, but it's just absolutely unbelievable.
00:59The kind of comments made by Raj Thakere. Many would say, what else do you expect from Raj Thakere,
01:04who's always resorted to xenophobia? But this time it's crossed all lines.
01:10Comments made like lungi-pungi. I'll break it down for you.
01:13In other circumstances, we wouldn't have referred to these comments.
01:16But it's important to put the spotlight on what Raj Thakere said,
01:19and the hate politics that's playing out right now in Maharashtra.
01:23We'll talk about that comment by Raj Thakere and the reactions that have come in.
01:28We'll begin first with the top 10 headlines.
01:30CBI grills TVK chief actor Vijay in the Karoosh stampede probe in Delhi.
01:38His aide's Adhavarjuna, Busi Anand, the company Vijay.
01:44New law in the battle for Mumbai.
01:46MNS chief Raj Thakere mocks BJP leader Anna Malai, referring to him as Rassamalai,
01:52and then goes ahead and makes a lungi-pungi taunt clearly at the entire community of South Indians living in Mumbai.
01:58Annamalai hits back over personal attack and asserts that intimidation will not deter him.
02:04EDC-CBI probe against Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over drama during raids at IPAC chief's residence.
02:12Officials claim they were restrained, threatened by the Bengal chief minister.
02:17Speaker Om Birla has issued a stern warning to members of parliament regarding recent allegations of e-cigarette usage within the parliament's premises.
02:24This follows charges from BJP MP Anurag Thakur, who highlighted alleged violations by certain opposition MPs.
02:33India's retained inflation rates rises to 1.33%, driven by higher food prices.
02:40Stays, however, below the Reserve Bank of India's tolerance ban, leaving the door ajar for a repo rate cut.
02:44Bengaluru metro fares to be hiked again next month.
02:50In February, the metro prices were hiked last year, that is, by 71%,
02:55which has already increased the financial burden on commuters, expected now in this February to go up again.
03:01MEA says Prime Minister Modi has discussed the issue of baby Ariha with the German Chancellor Merz,
03:05who is on a two-day visit in India.
03:07In September 2021, Ariha Shah was put under the custody of a German foster care after her grandmother accidentally hurt her.
03:16President Donald Trump has been weighing a range of options against Iran amid crackdown on protesters in the country.
03:22Trump's close aide, Senator Lindsey Graham, has hinted that U.S. may strike Iran tonight.
03:27Days after U.S. claimed that India missed the trade deal window,
03:33U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gorr claims that he is determined to get the trade deal done.
03:40And the 2026 Golden Globe Awards are out.
03:43Best Film Award goes to a Hamnet.
03:45Timothee Chalamet wins Best Male Actor in a Musical or Comedy,
03:48while Jessie Buckley takes home Best Female Actress in a Drama.
03:57And let's begin with the latest updates coming in from the CBI headquarters on Vijay's questioning,
04:05which continues seven hours on.
04:07He remains in the CBI headquarters in Delhi.
04:10Here's what our sources are telling us.
04:12That during questioning, Vijay claimed that TVK, all its functionaries,
04:17are not responsible for what happened in Karoor on September 27th,
04:21are not responsible for the stampede.
04:23Reportedly, the actor also said that he left the venue because he felt that it would create chaos,
04:27chaos, and ruckus.
04:28Now, party functionaries who were questioned earlier too by the CBI had taken a similar stand.
04:34And so it's clear that this is the TVK strategy with regards to what they'll say to the investigative bodies.
04:41Now, reportedly, statements, the CBI has told us this,
04:44they are statements from Vijay and from all the others who will be analysed,
04:47corroborated with the video evidence that is available to see what exactly led to the stampede
04:54and whether what they're saying versus what's seen in the video actually matches.
04:58Particularly the question being asked about a delay in Vijay's appearance in Karoor.
05:04The question that's being asked about whether Vijay's new stampede had broken out
05:07and yet continued to speak.
05:09I'll take this across to our reporters joining us.
05:11I've got Anagar Keshav from Chennai.
05:13Munish Pandey, who's joining us live from the CBI headquarters in Delhi.
05:16Munish, I'll begin with you for the news break that you're getting us on the CBI questioning of Vijay right now.
05:22Seven hours on, it continues.
05:29And it is still continuing, Achita.
05:31As we speak, I'm standing right outside the CBI headquarters where Vijay is still being questioned.
05:37And so far, his statements have been recorded on the lines that who might have been responsible for Karoor's stampede
05:45because this is a million-dollar question and CBI wants to know the answer.
05:50But Vijay's answer has been on the expected line.
05:53According to sources within the Central Bureau of Investigation, Vijay has denied all the allegations.
05:59He has maintained so far that none of the TVK functionaries are responsible for the Karoor stampede.
06:05He has gone on to say that it was the Tamil Nadu police's responsibility to maintain law and order.
06:11But they failed to discharge their duty properly and that is why the stampede took place.
06:16So overall, he maintains his innocence as well as party's innocence.
06:22On the lines, Achita, it was also important for the CBI to understand the timeline of when Vijay arrived,
06:31when he was expected and why he continued his speech.
06:35That question was also posed before Vijay and he has given the answer that he was not aware of the stampede at that particular moment.
06:44The moment he got to know that stampede has broken out, he immediately left because he felt his presence will increase the chaos at that particular time.
06:54Now, CBI has recorded earlier the statement of other TVK functionaries.
06:59They also have statements of Tamil Nadu police officials responsible for maintaining law and order situation that day.
07:06And now they have a statement of Vijay also, which is still going on.
07:10Now, the CBI sources are telling us that they will corroborate the statement given by Vijay with the Tamil Nadu police officials
07:18and then only they will conclude that what exactly happened, who is responsible for this particular incident.
07:26Apart from that, the CBI is also going to confront Vijay with the documentary evidence,
07:30which is going to be the document, the agreement which was signed between the Tamil Nadu police and TVK functionaries
07:37that all the protocols will be followed, all the arrangements will be made by the party,
07:43which according to Tamil Nadu police, the TVK functionaries failed.
07:46So quickly, just to follow up, Munish, we know that today mostly it's been Vijay's statement that's been recorded.
07:51Is there a possibility that he will be summoned for day two?
07:53I know he's still being questioned right now, but there is talk that tomorrow too he could be in the national capital.
08:03Well, actually, till afternoon there was a high chance that, you know, Vijay will be again called in for questioning.
08:11But now sources are telling us that they are trying to conclude the questioning.
08:15If there are certain questions, if there are follow-up questions, then again he might be calling tomorrow for questioning.
08:21But for now, what we have been given to understand is that the questioning will still go on.
08:26The TVK chief is still inside the CBI headquarter and still he is being questioned by the D.Y.S.P. rank officer,
08:34who is also the investigative officer of this particular case.
08:37Okay, interesting. So the questioning seven hours on continues and could go on for the considerable next few hours as well.
08:44I'll bring in Anagar Keshav, who's joining us live from Chennai, with the latest updates on the repercussions of the summoning and questioning in Tamil Nadu right now.
08:54In election season, Anagar, everyone's watching this.
08:57And one narrative that's particularly doing the rounds is central agencies versus Vijay.
09:02Jananayeg in film being stalled by the censor board, Vijay being summoned by the CBI in the Karoor case.
09:08Well, certainly, Akshita. In fact, at this given point of time, even Vijay's film career has now run into a legal battle.
09:18And even his political career, he's sitting there in front of the CBI getting grilled for seven hours.
09:24So certainly the perception here, the optics here on ground, you know, quite possibly could look like Vijay is the victim over here getting grilled on all sides.
09:32But certainly, you know, as we stand today, there is a lot of sympathy coming in for actor-turn Neta Vijay.
09:38But still, election is still months away. Anything can change in the minds of voters.
09:43Will the sympathy that he has garnered today really, you know, hold till the month of May?
09:49That's the big question. It may or it may not.
09:51It all depends on how Vijay decides to channelize whatever, you know, is happening today in the next upcoming months in the run-up to the elections.
10:00But as we stand off today, tomorrow is the day when it's quite likely that Jandana Egan's case can also come up for hearing in the Supreme Court.
10:08And the same day, he also will get grilled by the CBI.
10:12So, you know, it's a big day tomorrow for actor-turn Neta Vijay.
10:15We need to wait and watch what's really going to happen tomorrow in the court and, number two, in the CBI headquarters.
10:22Interesting what really will play out in the days ahead in this case.
10:25Munish, Anagar, for the moment, thanks very much for joining me.
10:28And based on the information we've received from our sources, let's break down for you the 10 questions being asked of Vijay right now by the CBI.
10:36He's still inside the CBI headquarters.
10:39The first question is, the crowd was fainting around you.
10:42There were people clearly visible for Vijay from his van where people were passing out.
10:47He makes a reference to it as well, saying, make way.
10:50Why did he continue his speech despite that?
10:52Why didn't he call off the event?
10:53Water bottles were given also by Vijay.
10:57He was seen throwing it from the van at people who were struggling.
11:00But why was nothing done to help those who were fainting to provide any necessary medical help to them?
11:07The other question that's constantly asked of Vijay is, why did he turn up seven hours late?
11:11Why didn't he reach the venue on time?
11:13It would have not led to such swelling of crowds, people getting restless and dehydrated.
11:17Was the crowd surge allowed and intentionally done?
11:21Was there a delay on the part of Vijay intentionally to ensure more people gathered?
11:25Because for politicians, of course, it's all about numbers, all about showing off the kind of strength that they have on ground at these rallies.
11:33How many meetings took place?
11:34And CBI asking a pointed question to Vijay on how TVK was involved in the planning.
11:39How many internal meetings took place to ensure adequate arrangements on ground for the rally in Karoor?
11:46The question also is, who did you meet for Karoor rally?
11:49All right, we'll cut across to the breaking update that's just coming in.
11:52Vijay's questioning has come to an end at the CBI headquarters.
11:57That's the breaking update that's coming in right now.
12:00We will take this across to Munish Pandey.
12:01We're just going to connect with him once again to get you that quick update.
12:06But seven hours, seven hours he's been questioned.
12:09I was at the CBI headquarters when the questioning began.
12:11It was at about 11.10 when his questioning, when he had entered, in fact, into the CBI office.
12:18And so now the grilling has come to an end is what we're picking up.
12:24And what we're also understanding is that Vijay is expected to come out of the CBI headquarters any time now.
12:31Now the question is, is he going to stay camp in Delhi?
12:34Has he been summoned for a second day of questioning?
12:37Is the Karoor Stampede investigation involving Vijay going to continue?
12:41Munish Pandey is live with us for more details on that.
12:44Munish, take it away.
12:45You're telling us that the questioning of Vijay is over.
12:47He's going to step out any moment now.
12:54Javal Akshita, just to give a sense of what exactly is happening,
12:57and we have been given to understand is that the questioning is almost over.
13:00And Vijay may come out any moment from now.
13:03Now you can see this is the outgate of the Central Bureau of Investigation.
13:07The cars which were accompanying Vijay this morning, Akshita, when you were also present,
13:12those cars are now parked, which means that Vijay will be coming any moment from now.
13:17From this very particular gate where we are standing,
13:20this is the outgate of the Central Bureau of Investigation's headquarters.
13:25Now also you can see the activity has increased.
13:28The police force has increased and there are lawyers also which were accompanying Vijay this morning.
13:35Now they are also outside the CBI headquarter.
13:38Also, you know, we have been given to understand is that most of the questions were recorded.
13:43Now CBI will decide in few minutes from now whether Vijay has to be called in for questioning again tomorrow or not.
13:51This is going to be extremely important as far as questioning is concerned.
13:55And Akshita will also try and get close to the gate so that we can get better visuals of Vijay's car when he is coming out of it.
14:04Now, you know, the questioning is almost over.
14:08His last statement has been recorded.
14:10The formalities, the signing formalities are over.
14:13And, you know, from any moment from now, we will be able to see Vijay coming out from this particular gate.
14:22Now, as far as this case is concerned, Akshita, I remember, you know, in past,
14:27almost five functionaries of TVK were questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation earlier.
14:32Tamil Nadu police officials, right from the rank of, you know, SP, IG rank officer, the inspector,
14:41all those officials were called in for questioning this morning.
14:45The DGP of Tamil Nadu was also called in.
14:47He was there for quite some time and then his statement was recorded and then he left the CBI headquarter.
14:53But now Vijay's statement is over.
14:56Now, according to the Central Bureau of Investigation, they want to file charge sheet in this case.
15:01And that is why they wanted to record all the statements so that they can analyze that who was in particular responsible for the Karoor stampede.
15:12After recording the statements of Vijay's today, they will be analyzing the statements.
15:17And now the black Range Rover.
15:19So, Akshita, you can see the visuals now.
15:23The black Range Rover is the car in which now Vijay is coming out of the Central Bureau of Investigations headquarter.
15:31You can see Vijay sitting inside the car.
15:35You know, this is the carcade of Vijay, actor-turned-politician.
15:40And here we can see Vijay in the car.
15:42So, his questioning is over and now with his carcade, Vijay has left the CBI headquarter.
15:50These are the exclusive visuals right from outside the CBI headquarter where Vijay was questioned for almost, you know, more than six hours.
16:00And whether again he will be called in for questioning or not, that is something the CBI will decide.
16:05We will be the first one to break this news also, Akshita, because we are bringing what all has happened inside when Vijay was being questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation today.
16:16He has been questioned regarding all those aspects.
16:19Who was responsible for Karoor stampede?
16:22Why was delay from his part for seven hours because of which the crowd surged?
16:27He was also questioned regarding the management of food supply, water supply and toilets.
16:36Everything has been asked to Vijay.
16:38His statement was recorded and now CBI will decide whether he has to be called in again or not.
16:45Akshita.
16:45Live report there from Munish Pandey getting you for the first time Vijay seen there emerging out of the CBI headquarters in that black range rover.
16:53The person seated in the front, Adhava Arjuna, TVK leader, right hand of Vijay, who was also there with Vijay while he was being questioned.
17:00Not allowed in the integration room, but stat through it all in the CBI headquarters.
17:05Behind, right behind him in the backseat there, you get a very brief glimpse of Vijay as he's looking through the side window,
17:11looking out and trying clearly to avoid the cameras who were on the other side of the road.
17:17Huge security detailing ensured there through that entire stretch at the CBI headquarters.
17:22I was there this morning, so I saw that they closed off the entire road to ensure that there's no chance of any build-up,
17:28particularly of Vijay fans gathering in large numbers or anything of that sort,
17:32which is why even the TVK, and this is very clear on the ground, the TVK didn't urge all of their cadre in Delhi to come together.
17:39They wanted this to be muted.
17:41They wanted this to be focused completely on Vijay turning up at the CBI headquarters and no big bang entry there,
17:46which is why the car went in, the car has emerged out, Vijay hasn't been spotted walking out of the CBI headquarters,
17:52as is usually the norm for anyone who is going in for questioning.
17:56In this particular case, those are the images on your screens.
17:59Briefly, you see Vijay there as he is seated in the backseat.
18:03Seven hours of questioning coming to an end,
18:06where largely we understand Vijay's statement was recorded on what happened on September 27th.
18:12107 days since that stampede.
18:15There are so many questions still being asked on what led to 41 lives being lost.
18:20The CBI one step closer, perhaps,
18:23to figuring out exactly what their line of investigation is going to be in this case.
18:27And that's the image there for you of Vijay leaving the CBI headquarters,
18:32clearly trying to hide his face from the media cameras,
18:36did not want the cameras to be able to capture him as he left from the CBI headquarters.
18:43He is known to be a very, very private individual,
18:46not someone who is camera friendly or media friendly for that matter.
18:50So you see him seated in the backseat,
18:51Adhavarjanai in the front trying to navigate through the traffic there
18:55and the convoy that was also put out.
18:58For Vijay, there's been huge security set up in the national capital as well.
19:03For now, we hear that arrangements have been made for Vijay to be staying the night in Delhi.
19:08He'll perhaps be waiting for a communication from the CBI
19:10on whether he needs to continue in Delhi,
19:13whether he'll need to be brought back to the CBI headquarters tomorrow or not,
19:17based on which he'll take a call on whether to leave
19:19or whether he'll stay put in the national capital.
19:22We're going to continue those updates.
19:23Munish will be on standby with us to get us the latest,
19:27particularly on whether Vijay is going to be appearing for day two of questioning or not.
19:31I want to bring in on this broadcast as well,
19:33our panelists, Murali Darin Shivalingam, Vijay supporter is with us.
19:37We've got Ramakrishan Raji Koppal, retired IES and spokesperson of the Tamil Nadu BJP,
19:41Harish Mohamed Ibrahim, political analyst and Sanjay Sahai, former IPS officer.
19:46Good evening, gentlemen.
19:47Thank you all very much for your time and I appreciate your patience.
19:50We had that news break quickly coming in of Vijay emerging out of the CBI headquarters.
19:55Murali Darin, I'd like to begin with you.
19:57You know, there are all of these charges of conspiracies doing the rounds,
20:01conspiracy theories that are swirling.
20:03What do you have to say about Vijay being summoned by the CBI?
20:08Do you see this as central agencies hounding, targeting Vijay?
20:11No, I think Vijay's party was very clear that, you know, they wanted the CBI investigation
20:20compared to a probe or a local low-enforcement investigation.
20:27Having said that, just a week ago, the state president of BJP, sitting next to Mr. Amitsar,
20:35the state pointed out towards Mr. Sindin Balaji, and he said that, you know, he's the person
20:43who had caused the entire sabotage.
20:48So, when the allegations are towards him, and that's who's sitting next to the former minister
20:53under whom the CBI is, and that's very clear that, you know, Vijay has nothing to worry here.
21:00And as the TVK has been claiming right from the beginning, this is the sabotage by the
21:06ruling DNK party, because they are the ones who did not let Vijay stay at Karun when the
21:12incident happened.
21:13The police came and forced him to leave the place, et cetera.
21:16And after that, Mr. Sindin Balaji got into that.
21:19He was at the hospital all night, and 41 postmortems were carried out in a hurry in the night,
21:27and all of those bodies were cremated very next day.
21:32There was not much time given even for the kids and kids to mourn the event, and for the,
21:37I mean, the family members to come and see the body.
21:41And they were all cremated.
21:42So, what was the hurry about?
21:43That's exactly what even TVK carders want to know.
21:47Everyone, not just TVK carders.
21:49The whole of Tamil Nadu wants to know what was the great hurry in which postmortems were
21:53conducted in the middle of the night, and people were cremated in the morning.
21:57So, that throws off to the last question that I think the CBI will answer.
22:01Harish, would you like to respond to that?
22:03There are several questions being asked about whether the stampede was a result of a conspiracy,
22:08and this is something Vijay himself has claimed.
22:11Akshita, I don't want to go ahead and insinuate whatever the baseless allegations which has
22:16been put forward by the previous panelists.
22:18And having said that, whether Mr. Sindin Balaji has requested Mr. Vijay to come, seven hours
22:24delay prior to the Karur meeting and the Namakal meeting.
22:27Whether he has said that, no.
22:29Having said that, if these kind of nuances, these kind of insinuation is going to put
22:34behind whatever the investigation is going to happen, and making sure the 41 lost lives
22:40should be going under peril.
22:42Take an instance of today's appearance by Mr. Vijay.
22:47At about 11 o'clock, he has been summoned by the CBI.
22:49And he has taken his flight by six o'clock in Chennai with a private jet.
22:55But during the same September 27th incident, he was supposed to be there by 8.30 in Namakal,
23:01the first point, and by 12 o'clock, which has been called for by their Friday secretary,
23:07at about 12 in their Karur.
23:09Karur is what the second point is all about.
23:12But Mr. Vijay is starting from Chennai itself by 9 o'clock.
23:16So it is a deliberate attempt which made...
23:19There is no beyond doubt...
23:21The constant argument against that, Harish, is that all politicians are always late.
23:24They have their own standard of time, unfortunately.
23:27But having said that, that depends on the politician who is depending on.
23:31But here, an actor who turned into a politician with his huge cult, classic base,
23:37crowds to be swell wherever he goes.
23:40So once the surge is happening on an organic basis, you shouldn't do it as a primal facie.
23:46There is a pure-cut deliberate attempt by Mr. Vijay to go ahead and show the crowd in a massive face.
23:54That is the reason by 8.30, he has given his first point in Namakal,
23:57and he is starting from Chennai itself by 9 o'clock.
23:59So whether anyone at this stage here will do this, no.
24:02Whether Mr. Sendhil Balaji has asked Mr. Vijay to start by 9 o'clock to come to the meeting by 12 o'clock in Karur, no.
24:09So these kind of basic humanities should be there by these kind of actors,
24:14who has a large crowd base, which is evident that they have to follow the strict protocol.
24:20And there have been a 24-point protocol is given by the Karur administration, Karur Police Department.
24:25Even by September 25th, on the same, Vailu Chami Buram, the ADMK have contacted elbow.
24:30I see your hand up, Mr. Moni Dharam, but just give me a moment to also bring in Mr. Rajagopal on this.
24:35Mr. Rajagopal, your opening remarks of what we're seeing today, 41 lives.
24:39And let's not forget that, 41 lives were lost.
24:42It's been over 100 days since the stampede.
24:44There are so many questions still looming on who is responsible to the BJP, sir.
24:49Do you buy this whole conspiracy charge?
24:51Ultimately, there will be questions about whether the organiser is to be held responsible.
24:56In this case, Vijay, in this case, the TVK.
25:02Well, you know, there are two issues.
25:04One is the loss of lives and the other is the intention.
25:08Now, loss of lives has occurred.
25:11Now, who's responsible?
25:12Anybody who's responsible for that will have to be chart-sheeted.
25:17Now, was there an intention on the side of the TVK?
25:20I don't think there was an intention to create a problem.
25:23And I don't think anybody wanted lives to be lost.
25:28But unfortunately, lives were lost because of their negligence and their late coming.
25:32But at the same time, I think the police authorities should have taken better steps to make sure that the lives were not lost.
25:41Because there were so many things which could have been done.
25:43Vijay could have been stopped.
25:45His people could have been stopped.
25:46About 10 or 15,000 people who came with him from Namakal could have been stopped.
25:50Vijay alone could have been allowed to enter.
25:52The crowds could have been better controlled.
25:54I think all this was probably not done.
25:57I don't think there was even proper planning by the district authorities.
26:00We don't have any evidence, any minutes of a meeting conducted by the district collector.
26:05So, it clearly shows that the police has also not acted in fulfilment of its duties.
26:11So, the fault lies with both sides.
26:13Now, who's to be apportioned?
26:14How much blame?
26:15I think that is what the CBI will have to decide.
26:18Mr. Sanjay Saha, your view, sir, on what's playing out.
26:21As a former IPS officer, who is the owners on when something like this happens?
26:25Is it on the police for perhaps not ensuring adequate deployment, as the TVK alleges here?
26:31Or is the owners on the organiser, on Vijay, irrespective of whether he cries conspiracy or not,
26:36does a certain amount of responsibility fall on the shoulders of the TVK?
26:42See, law and order is the complete responsibility of the state government.
26:46There is absolutely no denying the fact.
26:47Over a period of time, one decade, two decades,
26:50we have tried to make it into a very, very palpable sort of a story
26:53that anything told by the politicians or anything told by the government,
26:57that is created in a manner as a smokescreen.
27:00Now, let's come to this particular incident, accident, what was made to happen.
27:05This was bound to happen because it was on a regular basis to happen
27:08and police all around Tamil Nadu, wherever Vijay went,
27:12it's the same sort of atrocious sort of a crowd management
27:14which was happening to the extent that High Court of Madras,
27:18they had also given instructions.
27:20Now, you come to the first and foremost thing is the venue.
27:24That venue cannot be a venue.
27:25I've been talking about it at the time of the stampede itself.
27:28It is, I think, the Kerou Railroad Highway.
27:30How can a highway be made into a venue?
27:32I'm just not able to understand.
27:34Anything which goes against the norms,
27:37the principles of crowd management,
27:40I think all those things have happened.
27:42Now, 15,000, 20,000 people moving with the actor himself
27:45and that is the standard protocol.
27:48That is the way it has happened all throughout.
27:50At the DMK, it developed cold feet.
27:52And DMK never went.
27:53DMK means I'm talking about the government of Tamil Nadu
27:56and nothing to the political party that developed the cold feet.
27:59When all these things happened,
28:01then what was done?
28:02One committee after the other,
28:03there was a criminal investigation by the local police, rightly so.
28:07Then you have a judicial commission,
28:08then you have SIT and then finally the CPI.
28:11Two of those things have been wound up.
28:12And three, four months down the line,
28:15the loss of lives have been huge.
28:18It is not a complicated criminal investigation.
28:21Let's be very clear about it.
28:23And Mr. Vijay and the TVK,
28:26if they want to absolve them of their responsibility,
28:28only two guys were arrested.
28:30That is the district secretary and the town secretary.
28:32Other two were not arrested.
28:34They got anticipatory bail.
28:35So, this is the way the whole system is operating.
28:38As far as Mr. Vijay is concerned,
28:40there is absolutely no denying the fact
28:42that he is aware of all these things which have been happening
28:44and which has been happening on a regular basis.
28:47This incident was bound to happen and it happened.
28:49Because someday it will happen.
28:51There was outage.
28:52You can get into all those things.
28:52No, you can hold everyone accountable,
28:54but ultimately there will be questions.
28:56Vijay is crying conspiracy here, Mr. Moolidharan.
28:58You know, that's almost washing your hands
29:00of the responsibility of the TVK
29:01in holding this kind of an event.
29:04They do have to ensure
29:05that they also take care of the necessary arrangements.
29:08Questions that have been asked is also about
29:10how Vijay continued with this event,
29:12despite knowing that chaos was breaking out,
29:15throwing water bottles at them
29:16and continuing his speech.
29:17So even if he comes at 6.30,
29:27it's the responsibility of the law enforcement
29:29to ensure there is no untoward incident.
29:32And this is not the first rally he's been holding.
29:34He has held many ways.
29:35As the, I mean, the respected IPS officer mentioned,
29:39you know, it's a law enforcement,
29:42safety, security of the people,
29:44it's responsibility of the state.
29:45And when he wanted to have this rally,
29:48he are the ones who gave permission with conditions.
29:51So, as simple as that.
29:53And today, do we have an SOP on that?
29:55We still don't have an SOP.
29:57In fact, Madras, I thought,
29:59are state cognizant.
30:00And they are writing this
30:01standard operating procedure.
30:03So how to conduct these rallies?
30:04That's only after the event.
30:06Before that, there was nothing.
30:07So how can you blame a TVK?
30:09TVK is new to this story.
30:11You know, it is,
30:12you know, your seasoned people
30:13are the ADNK and DNK.
30:14They have also, I mean,
30:16they have held so many rallies
30:17in their last 50 years.
30:19Nothing had happened that time.
30:21So that's the reason
30:21why the questions are being asked now.
30:24So even if you come to 6.30,
30:25it's responsible to the state.
30:27And state, we know what's happening in the state.
30:29The law and orders in Chambul.
30:31Right?
30:31The North Indian worker
30:32who was lynched
30:33a couple of weeks ago, right?
30:35And where is he now?
30:36Nobody knows.
30:37He has got something like,
30:38you know,
30:39I think so many cuts on his body
30:41and there's no way
30:41that they could walk.
30:43And they say,
30:43he disturbs his children
30:44and he walks away.
30:46We still want to know where he is.
30:47There are,
30:48this is how the law and order situation
30:49in Tamil Nadu.
30:50And drugs,
30:51drugs,
30:52you know,
30:52No, wait,
30:52we're kind of digressing.
30:54We're kind of digressing.
30:55I get your point
30:56about law and order
30:57in Tamil Nadu, Harish.
30:58That's where the question comes up
30:59on whether the cops also
31:01are equally responsible here.
31:03Look at the political blame game
31:04of things,
31:05of the DMK and TVK
31:06pointing fingers at each other.
31:07Are we ultimately forgetting
31:09that a tragedy has happened
31:10and perhaps there are lapses
31:11on both sides
31:12that need to be acknowledged?
31:14Even after a ruthless comment
31:16has been passed
31:17by the earlier panellists,
31:18even after 41 lies of loss,
31:20he has been deliberately saying
31:21that even by 6.30,
31:22they can come,
31:23their leader can come.
31:25How come a general secretary
31:26of a party can...
31:27Sir,
31:28I didn't interrupt you.
31:28One at a time.
31:30Sir,
31:30add some civility.
31:31I haven't interrupted you.
31:32Please be silent.
31:33Yeah,
31:34Harish,
31:34finish your point.
31:35His general,
31:36his general,
31:37his general secretary
31:38calling for the people
31:39to come and gather
31:40in a crowd
31:41by 12.30
31:42on a scratching heat
31:44when after even
31:4641 lies have lost,
31:47they have been ruthless
31:48in saying that
31:49the people can come
31:50by 6.30
31:51and gather for the meeting
31:52at about 7 o'clock.
31:53What kind of ruthless
31:54argument is this?
31:55And having said that,
31:56the September 24th,
31:58the same meeting
31:59when you have been given
32:00to Mr. Edapati
32:02Pallin Chami
32:03to conduct a meeting
32:03which has been supposed
32:04to be there
32:05by 10,000 people,
32:06which has given
32:07or not
32:08by the local
32:09administration,
32:10and even there
32:11the police personnel
32:12were 167
32:13police personnel
32:14were deployed
32:15over there.
32:15Even the same
32:16when you have given
32:17for the Mr. TBK
32:19or Vijayali rally
32:20as well,
32:21and they have been
32:21given an administration
32:22not for 10,000 people,
32:24even the crowd surges
32:25to almost 30,000 people,
32:27the police deployment
32:27was there
32:28at most 597
32:30under a ratio
32:31of 20 is to 1.
32:33So don't complain
32:35the local administration
32:36or the police department
32:37for this mishap
32:39which has been
32:39deliberately carried out
32:41by the TBK
32:42and the chief
32:42of Mr. Vijayali.
32:43Both sides are claiming
32:43conspiracy.
32:44Mr. Murali,
32:44there's any response.
32:45What are you talking?
32:47No,
32:48did they hold
32:48anybody responsible?
32:50The local police,
32:51I mean,
32:51the DSP
32:52or the superintendent
32:52of police
32:53of the district
32:53should have been
32:54documented.
32:54They didn't do anything.
32:55Why?
32:57I mean,
32:58it's only that
32:59the TBK
33:00has to be
33:00blamed for everything.
33:01He said,
33:02the law enforcement
33:03is the state.
33:04They could have come out
33:04and said,
33:05no,
33:05it's dangerous,
33:06don't come now.
33:06It's too late
33:07to hold the Murali.
33:08Vijayala turned back.
33:10They didn't say anything.
33:11They were only keen
33:12to send him out
33:13of parole
33:13as soon as the incident happened.
33:15And Portugal
33:16like Zed
33:16is talking about
33:17and it's clear
33:19in the hands of DNK
33:20because
33:20a few months ago
33:22there was an air show
33:23at Marina.
33:24There were 4 people
33:25died of camped.
33:27And the intelligence
33:27officer was supposed
33:29to be responsible
33:29for that.
33:30He was sitting
33:31next to the CM
33:32and watching the air show.
33:33Okay.
33:33That is the kind
33:34of law and order here.
33:35Mr. Rajagopal,
33:36Mr. Rajagopal,
33:37let me bring in
33:41the BJP
33:42also on this place.
33:43Mr. Rajagopal,
33:43go ahead.
33:44You know,
33:44there are also questions
33:45being asked here
33:46about the timing
33:46of the CBI
33:47summon to Vijay
33:48with the likes
33:49of DMK.
33:50Surprisingly enough,
33:51the DMK now saying
33:52that this is a central
33:53conspiracy against Vijay.
33:54I don't think
33:57it's got to do
33:59anything with
33:59the elections
34:00or the political
34:02campaigning
34:02that's going on.
34:04It's a question
34:05of the CBI
34:06having to complete
34:07its work.
34:08The CBI
34:08will have to file
34:09its chart sheet
34:09within the stipulated
34:11time.
34:12And if the chart sheet
34:13is delayed,
34:14obviously there will be
34:14acquisitions against
34:15the CBI.
34:17And all people
34:17concerned will have
34:18to be inquired into
34:20before they file
34:21the chart sheet.
34:21And obviously
34:23there are lapses
34:24by the police
34:25authorities.
34:26But at the same
34:26time,
34:27one can't say
34:29that Vijay
34:31or the TVK
34:32party is beyond
34:33blame because
34:35why did they come
34:36with 15,000 people
34:37from Namakal?
34:38And they knew
34:39that the place
34:40was already
34:41overcrowded.
34:42And you had
34:4250,000 people
34:43coming in and
34:44hitting into a
34:45crowd of 20,000
34:46in a place which
34:47could accommodate
34:4810,000.
34:49Automatically,
34:50it was like a
34:50wave.
34:51And as people
34:52started moving
34:52with his van,
34:54they stepped
34:55over each other
34:56and that's how
34:56the lives were
34:57lost.
34:59No, I agree
34:59that at the end
35:00of the day,
35:01whatever has
35:01happened,
35:02we need a
35:03detailed investigation
35:04to kind of
35:04reveal the
35:05details.
35:05The TVK
35:06at this point
35:07all through
35:08wanted a CBI
35:08investigation.
35:09So in that
35:10sense,
35:10they've gotten
35:10what they
35:10wanted.
35:11There's no
35:11point now
35:12crying central
35:13conspiracy by
35:14any way,
35:14which is why
35:15you're seeing
35:15Vijay also going
35:16ahead and
35:17cooperating with
35:18the investigation.
35:19Thank you,
35:19gentlemen,
35:19for your time,
35:20for joining
35:20us here on
35:21India Today.
35:22We're going to
35:23track the latest
35:23that comes up
35:24and get you
35:25those details
35:25on the takeaways
35:26of Vijay's
35:27questioning and
35:28also if there's
35:29going to be a
35:29day two,
35:30will he be
35:31summoned again
35:31by the CBI?
35:32Those details we
35:34will track here on
35:35India Today.
35:36A political war
35:37of words in the
35:38run-up to the
35:38BMC poll has
35:39become an excuse
35:40to hurl hate
35:41abuse towards
35:43Tamilians now.
35:45Raj Thakere in a
35:46rally in Mumbai
35:47made a crass
35:48completely below
35:49the belt remark
35:49targeting South
35:50Indians, targeting
35:52Tamilians and yet
35:53there's zero
35:53outrage.
35:55Politics, political
35:56attacks is one
35:57thing, but
35:58resorting to
35:58hate slurs, to
35:59regional chauvinism
36:00is completely
36:01unacceptable.
36:03Now in normal
36:03circumstances, I
36:04wouldn't read out
36:05what Raj Thakere
36:06said, but this
36:06needs to be told
36:07for everyone to
36:08understand the
36:09kind of hate that
36:10he's spewing against
36:11one community.
36:12What did he say?
36:13He said,
36:13which means remove
36:16these lungis, show
36:17them their place.
36:19He was attacking
36:19BJP's Annamalai after
36:21Annamalai had called
36:22Mumbai a global
36:23city, but I want
36:24you to listen in
36:25to what Raj Thakere
36:26said.
36:30I imagine this is
36:52the kind of comment
36:53that's been made
36:54by Raj Thakere.
36:56It's not new,
36:57unfortunately.
36:57That slogan that he
36:58took, that was the
36:59OG slogan of
37:00Baal Thakere when
37:01he targeted South
37:02Indians in Mumbai
37:02and drove a
37:03sustained campaign to
37:05drive South
37:05Indians out of
37:06Mumbai.
37:07Raj Thakere is
37:08attempting the
37:09exact same
37:10narrative in
37:112026, and yet
37:12believe it or
37:12not, there are
37:13cheerleaders for
37:14that kind of
37:14disgusting politics
37:15of this open
37:16xenophobia playing
37:18out.
37:18Let's call it out
37:19for what it is.
37:20No condemnation
37:21honestly is strong
37:22enough, because if
37:22this narrative
37:23continues, it is to
37:25attempt to create
37:26a rift, divide
37:27now on the
37:28lines of
37:28regionalism, target
37:30migrants in
37:31Mumbai.
37:32Raj Thakere's
37:33Hatao Lungi
37:34remark, let's be
37:35very clear, is
37:36not just a
37:37throwaway
37:37provocation, it's
37:38an attempt to
37:39stir up identity
37:40politics and
37:40quite honestly
37:41cheap attempts to
37:42stir up Marathi
37:43sentiments at the
37:44cost of targeting
37:45one community and
37:46even calling for
37:47violence against
37:48them.
37:49That slogan is
37:50extremely violent.
37:52This comment
37:52betrays clearly a
37:54poverty of ideas and
37:55a dangerous
37:56willingness to
37:57actually fracture
37:58India on the
37:58basis of states.
38:00That 2026, these
38:01are the kind of
38:02slogans doing the
38:03rounds in the run
38:04up to an election.
38:13The political
38:14slugfest amid the
38:15battle for BMC has
38:17hit a vulgar low.
38:18After targeting
38:19North Indians,
38:20MNS chief Raj
38:21Thakere's fresh
38:22target are
38:22Tamilians.
38:25During the joint
38:27rally of Thakere
38:28cousins at
38:29Shivaji Park in
38:30Mumbai, Raj
38:31Thakere heard
38:32racist abuses at
38:33K.
38:33Annamalai.
38:35Raj Thakere called
38:36the BJP stalwart
38:37leader, Ras
38:38Malai.
38:39He did not stop
38:40there.
38:41Thakere abused
38:42Annamalai from
38:43the stage and
38:44reminded that
38:44Bala Sahib used
38:45to say,
38:46Hatao Lungi,
38:47Bajao Pungi
38:48for the millions.
38:49This racist drive
39:13was triggered by
39:14Annamalai's comment
39:15that Mumbai was a
39:17global city and
39:17not just a
39:18Maharashtra city.
39:21Bombay is not
39:22a Maharashtra city.
39:23It is an
39:24international city.
39:25And this city has
39:26got a budget of
39:2775,000 crore,
39:28not a small money.
39:29Chennai's budget is
39:308,000 crore.
39:31Bangalore is
39:3219,000 crore.
39:33You need good
39:34people sitting in
39:35the administration
39:36to manage the
39:37finance, to manage
39:38development.
39:39Now, this
39:40controversy has
39:41become the biggest
39:42flashpoint ahead of
39:43the BMC polls.
39:44Annamalai dared
39:46Raj Thakri and
39:47said that he
39:47will not be
39:48intimidated and
39:49will keep coming
39:50to Mumbai
39:50irrespective of
39:52the consequences.
39:52BJP backed Annamalai and
40:04claimed that his
40:19statements were twisted
40:20for political gains
40:21for Mumbai civic
40:22polls.
40:25In his political
40:26campaign, he said
40:28very high about
40:29Mumbai and the
40:30people who have
40:30contributed for the
40:31growth of Mumbai.
40:33I think they have
40:33taken it another way
40:34and for their
40:35political gain, they
40:36are twisting it.
40:38With just days ahead
40:39of BMC polls,
40:40Raj Thakri has once
40:41again ignited the
40:42Tamil Maratha face-off.
40:44But will it
40:44translate into
40:45worlds?
40:46Bureau report,
40:49India Today.
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